A proposed nomenclature for spinal imaging and interventional procedural reporting

Area of Science:

• Spinal imaging and interventional procedures.
• Medical nomenclature development.
• Anatomical and procedural reporting standards.

Background:

• Current spinal imaging anatomy lacks a comprehensive nomenclature for reporting.
• A critical lack of unifying terminology hinders precise anatomical and procedural reporting.
• Existing reporting methods are fragmented and lack standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a precise, universal standard interventional spine nomenclature.
• To establish a unified system for reporting procedural details and spinal anatomy.
• To address the need for intuitive and consistent terminology in interventional spine procedures.

Main Methods:

• Development of a de novo nomenclature system through expert consensus.
• Basing the nomenclature on identified clinical needs and previously published reports.
• Utilizing defined zones for anatomical and procedural reporting in specific spinal approaches.

Main Results:

• A novel nomenclature for interlaminar and transforaminal interventional spine approaches was created.
• The nomenclature incorporates defined zones for anatomical and procedural reporting.
• Separate nomenclature is presented for medial branch, disc, and vertebral body procedures.

Conclusions:

• A unified anatomical location reporting system is essential for interventional spine practice.
• The developed nomenclature represents a precise, simple, and intuitive first step towards standardization.
• Further steps include ratification, dissemination, and adoption in clinical practice for widespread use.